Rep. Jackson leaves Mayo Clinic

September 07, 2012|By Katherine Skiba | Tribune reporter

U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. stands with a group of about 50 ministers and other religious leaders voicing support for his re-election campaign during an event at the Park 52 restaurant in February. (Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune)

WASHINGTON — Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., has left the Mayo Clinic and is at home in the nation's capital with his family, an aide said today.

"He's home with his wife and children and he's convalescing," Rick Bryant, his chief of staff in suburban Chicago, told the Chicago Tribune.

Jackson, 47, was treated for bipolar depression at the clinic this summer. He began a medical leave of absence June 10.

Congress returns Monday after a five-week summer recess. Bryant, asked whether Jackson would be in attendance, said: "I am hopeful that he'll be back on the job on Monday."

Bryant said he did not know the date Jackson checked out of Mayo. He said the congressman had planned to drive from Minnesota to his home in Washington.

Earlier Friday, Mayo spokesman Chris Gade declined to make any comment about the lawmaker. "Any updates now on Congressman Jackson are being handled by his office in Chicago and they can give you an update," Gade said.

Rep. Jackson entered the Mayo Clinic on July 25 after spending weeks in an Arizona treatment center, Sierra Tucson.

His medical condition had been the subject of much speculation until Mayo officials on Aug. 13 issued a statement that said was he undergoing treatment there for bipolar II depression.

Earlier statements from Jackson’s office gave various explanations for his illness. In June, his aides said he was being treated for “exhaustion.” In July, they said he long had grappled with “physical and emotional ailments” and later that month, was reported to have a “mood disorder.”

Soon after he entered Mayo, hospital officials said he was being evaluated for depression and gastro-intestinal issues. Jackson underwent weight-loss surgery several years ago.

His wife is Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, 7th. His father is the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the civil rights leader.

Rep. Jackson, who entered Congress in 1995, is up for re-election on Nov. 6, about eight weeks away. He has two rivals for the seat, but predictions are that he will win.

He decisively won a primary battle for the nomination in March against former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson of Crete.